Nokia is confirmed to join in the fun at the MWC 2017 trade show in Barcelona, Spain but it is not the rumored Nokia P1 Android flagship from the iconic Finnish mobile device brand that seems to generate the most excitement. Rumors say the Nokia 3310 is a making a comeback and it's firing up interest.
Evan Blass reported via Venture Beat that Nokia will unveil not only the Nokia 6 but also two budget-friendly Android handsets this month. The date to mark is February 26 or the same day that MWC 2017 will start.
Blass, also known as @evleaks, revealed that the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 will debut at the event with the price starting at no more than $160. It is the Nokia 5 that will be more expensive but both are step backs from the Nokia 6 that will sell for around $260.
And as the Nokia 6 is considered a mid-ranger, the Nokia 3 and 5 will be the entry-levels bets of Nokia and all three handsets will run on Android. According to HMD Global, all Nokia phones powered by Android will get regular firmware updates.
The Venture Beat report did not touch on the rumored Nokia P1 Android flagship and there was no mention too of the supposed Nokia N-series relaunch, supposedly on the same event. But Blass claimed that Nokia has a more exciting handset to unbox.
That would be the 2017 version of the Nokia 3310. The retro handset treat will be "a modern version of a classic workhorse," Blass said, adding that the modernized device is expected to retain the features loved by millions worldwide - "plentiful battery life and nearly indestructible build."
Even better, the Nokia 3310 will return asking for no more than around $70, the report added.
When first introduced, the 3310 gained popularity for ease of use, durability and customization options. The device's front and black plates can be exchanged and the already long-lasting battery can be swapped with a fully-charged replacement.
But the real challenge is how to modernize the feature phone or make it fully functional with the latest network structures and messaging or voice features while keeping the Nokia 3310's retro appeal.